Aaronic Priesthood: An Opportunity to Serve

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Young men who understand that the priesthood is an opportunity to serve can make a significant difference in the lives of others.

Watch the video above and read about two deacons below. Then decide how you or your quorum could serve someone.

Missionary Work in Brazil

Alessandro E., a newly called deacons quorum president, wanted to increase the number of members in his quorum. He tried to activate some of the deacons but without much success. He tried sharing the gospel with his friends at school but also without success.

So Alessandro sought his mother’s advice. “She said I should fast and pray,” he explains. So he did, and he felt a prompting from the Holy Ghost to go back to one of his friends from school. “This time,” Alessandro says, “he agreed to come to a sacrament meeting.”

Missionaries began teaching the friend, and soon he and his brother were baptized, along with two cousins. Soon after, the friend's parents were baptized as well.

“Miracles are everywhere to be found when the priesthood is understood, its power is honored and used properly, and faith is exerted,” said President Thomas S. Monson during the April 2012 general conference.

That was a happy day for many people, including Alessandro. As president of his deacons quorum, he now had brought new members into the quorum and into the ward. He had learned that a good leader seeks counsel from those he trusts, that Heavenly Father answers prayers, and that it is important to follow promptings.

Bringing Quorum Members Back

Well before sacrament meeting started, the president was already there. He always is. Now, before you assume we’re talking about a stake, district, or branch president, let’s clarify. Cornell F. is a deacons quorum president.

Every Sunday he magnifies his calling. This particular Sunday is ward conference, and Cornell is here early, placing hymnbooks on the benches where the deacons will be seated. He wants his quorum to benefit from the sacred music that should be a significant part of worship.

Another Sunday, he is pleased to report that all of the deacons in his ward are in attendance, six who are active and three who haven’t been coming regularly but are being fellowshipped.

“Every Sunday,” he says, “I give deacons assignments to call or visit less-active quorum members or friends who are investigating the Church.” He also notes that “every Tuesday evening before our youth activities, we invite all the deacons to come.”

At the ward conference, the deacons pay special attention to inspiring messages from the stake president and the bishop. Then after the meeting, “the deacons stay to make sure that the chapel is clean and tidy,” Cornell says. They also look after the rest of the meetinghouse. “We take out the bins and sometimes we help to clean the nursery room,” he explains.

“We are ‘can-do’ deacons,” he says, “and each deacon plays a big role in our success.”